It seemed as though he had become a lure for the magical beasts. Well, he was a second-level warrior and a first-level mage—how could he possibly be inferior to a mere first-level magical beast?

On the second day in the Magical Beast Mountains, Dick was attacked by a magical beast. Fortunately, his practice with the ‘Fire Cloud Step’ had paid off, allowing him to evade the first-level beast’s assault just in time.

A white boar the size of a water buffalo, a first-level magical beast with long tusks, managed to tear through Dick’s ribs, causing intense pain. In his first battle with a magical beast, his hastily conjured water magic shield proved insufficient to withstand the boar’s tusks.

The speed of first-level magical beasts was astonishing. Although Dick’s fireballs had some effect, scorching the boar’s hide, they failed to inflict substantial damage.

The weighty force of his finely crafted sword, at fifteen hundred pounds, merely wounded the boar’s hide. Was this beast truly so resilient?

Dick, relying on the agility of the ‘Fire Cloud Step,’ struggled fiercely with the boar for a minute. The intensity of the battle significantly honed his skill with the ‘Fire Cloud Step.’ The combat was far more severe compared to the trials at the academy.

Several attempts at counterattacking with the ‘Fire Cloud Step’ left Dick in a precarious situation, nearly trampled by the boar.

Frustrated, he summoned the water and fire magic sword, clashing with the boar’s tusks and causing the sword to be flung away. Seizing the opportunity, Dick closed in and unleashed the water and fire magic sword.

The boar let out a pained roar.

Finally, he had managed to inflict severe injuries.

But to his dismay, despite the water and fire magic sword opening a gash on the boar’s neck, it still managed to escape swiftly.

Unable to catch up, Dick sat down dejectedly, his ribs aching. He quickly applied some healing potions.

Uncle Taita finally arrived: “Dick, you performed admirably. Despite initial panic, you quickly regained composure. Don’t be discouraged; you’ve done exceptionally well.”

“I know I have many shortcomings, but I will strive to improve.” After this arduous battle, Dick did not doubt his ability to slay a first-level magical beast. His magic spell, ‘Water and Fire Magic Sword,’ which he had developed himself, was capable of severely wounding a first-level beast. Moreover, his combat technique, particularly the ‘Fire Cloud Step,’ provided sufficient maneuverability to contend with a first-level beast.

When facing first-level magical beasts, Dick still had a chance.

Combat experience is what Dick needed, and his experience in life-and-death battles was still insufficient. The academy’s trial arena now seemed relatively trivial in comparison.

“Dick, as long as you’re confident, that’s what matters. Your advanced combat techniques are indeed impressive.” Dick had shared the ‘Fire Cloud Step’ technique with Taita, but even after two years of practice, Taita had yet to master it. Advanced techniques are not easily mastered by everyone.

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Dick’s injuries were not too severe, and after less than two days of rest, he continued his journey.

Fortunately, with Uncle Taita’s guidance, they avoided conflicts with other hunting parties by following Taita’s own routes (though, given the vastness of the Magical Beast Mountains, encounters with other groups were still rare). Dick and Taita, being only two, were vulnerable to being ambushed by hunting parties.

After spending over ten days in the Magical Beast Mountains, Dick fought three major battles, finally killing a first-level magical beast—a mountain chicken the size of a fat pig. Unfortunately, Dick sustained more severe injuries this time, with his chest bones torn by the chicken’s claws.

This was a serious wound. Even with healing potions, recovery would take ten days to a fortnight.

Given the circumstances, he was grateful for Taita’s care.

With the spoils of battle, Dick took advantage of the opportunity to nourish himself. Such rewards were beneficial for both magical and combat training.

“Dick! We have more spoils!” Hidden in a secluded cave while recuperating, Taita returned with a second-level magical beast—a flowered leopard the size of a water buffalo.

“Uncle Taita, impressive! Did you manage to catch this beast?”

“Leopard magical beasts are incredibly fast. It’s not feasible to chase them. Instead, one must first hide and strike with a decisive blow.” Taita continued to impart knowledge and characteristics of various magical beasts to Dick.

After a hearty meal of leopard meat, Dick, now fully recovered after half a month, resumed his training with renewed vigor.

Unconsciously, Dick seemed to lose track of time. He had been fighting in the Magical Beast Mountains for over three months, yet never neglected his magical meditation. One night, taking advantage of the darkness, Dick immersed himself once again in the jade pendant space.

Haha! His intuition was correct. With a moment of enlightenment, Dick broke through the second-level mage’s bottleneck.

“Dick, you’ve made progress!” Uncle Taita returned, bringing with him a two-ton wild boar, a second-level fire-type magical beast. “Oh? Dick, your injuries have healed so quickly?”

This was Dick’s third serious injury, and he had to retreat to a hidden cave once more to recover.

“Uncle Taita, I’ve advanced to a second-level mage! Haha!” Dick was elated. Advancing was not merely a personal elevation but also brought substantial healing benefits.

“No wonder! Congratulations, Dick, on reaching second-level mage. Impressive!” Magic is notoriously difficult to master compared to combat techniques. There were numerous fourth and fifth-level warriors in the Duyan Kingdom, but only about twenty mid-level mages.

“I must also thank you, Uncle Taita, for your support.”

“No need to be formal. I was a life-and-death brother to your father. If not for the protection of your parents, I would have been dead long ago. Sadly, your mother died in battle, and your father was left severely injured and disabled.”

“Uncle Taita, has there been any news of my father since he left Xinling Town?” Dick held deep gratitude for his father.

“I don’t know where your mother’s hometown is. Perhaps when you advance to a fourth-level warrior, you can search for it yourself. I also miss your father.”

“Well, that’s the plan for now. I believe I will break through to fourth-level warrior before I turn twenty.” Dick did not think his progress was slow; he was barely thirteen and already a second-level warrior. Warriors generally advance faster than mages, especially with his advanced combat techniques.

With the jade pendant space as a secret advantage, how could he be any worse off than others?

“Dick, your training in the Magical Beast Mountains is nearly complete. It’s time to head back.” Taita was very satisfied with Dick’s progress.

“Alright!” Dick had no objections. Taita also had his own training to attend to and couldn’t always accompany him. Next time, he would bring along classmates of similar rank.

Having advanced to a second-level mage, Dick felt considerable improvements in both his mental and physical state. His ‘Fire Cloud Step’ had seen significant enhancement.

On their return journey, Dick engaged in a fierce battle with a first-level magical beast, and this time, the fight was much easier.

“Dick!”

“Angel!”

In such a vast magical beast forest, encountering a familiar face was a surprise. Angel had also become a second-level mage, qualifying for training in the forest. A middle-aged man, likely an expert, accompanied her.

“Dick, have you advanced to second-level mage?”

“Yes, I just advanced a few days ago.”